Rock A"Rocky" Barrieau

Rock A. "Rocky" Barrieau, 59, of Ashburnham, formerly of Gardner, died Saturday, February 11, 2017 in Heywood Hospital of Gardner with his wife by his side, after being stricken ill at home.
Born in Gardner on March 18, 1957, he was the son of Jennie (Scarpa) Barrieau and the late Roger J. Barrieau.
Rock graduated from Gardner High School with the Class of 1975. He received his Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Mount Wachusett Community College of Gardner in 2001.
Rock was a United States Marine Corps Veteran, and received the Rifle Expert Badge (2nd award), Meritorious Mast (3rd award) and the Good Conduct Medal.
Rock grew up in Gardner and spent his career in the city he loved. He began his employment with the City of Gardner as a Police Officer on May 18, 1987, and was appointed Deputy Chief in 1999. He served as the Gardner Police Department Union President and was Chairman of the Gardner Traffic Commission. Rock retired in 2013 after 26 years of service. He was awarded 'Officer of the Year' in 2013, and received a Certificate of Commendation for Outstanding Achievement from the City of Gardner for Heroism Above and Beyond the Call of Duty. In 2014 Rock was awarded the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce 'Lifetime Achievement Award'. Following retirement, he served as interim Police Chief with the town of Townsend from January 2016 through April 2016. Retired Deputy Chief Barrieau exemplified the true meaning of a public servant with his heartfelt service and dedication to the City of Gardner and the many people whose lives he touched.
He was a former member of the Gardner Rotary Club, former wrestling coach for Gardner High School, and was Chief Steward I.U.E. 262 at the former H & R. He was a member of Annunciation Parish/Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church of Gardner.
Rock enjoyed fishing, wood carving and working on home projects. He was an accomplished artist of both water colors and oil paintings. Rock was a huge fan and season ticket holder of the New England Patriots. He enjoyed playing the harmonica and guitar, and took great pride in his 1946 Chrysler Windsor. He loved spending time with his best friend, his dog "Otis", and treasured spending time with his family. Rock was a true gentleman, whose sense of humor and quick wit will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Besides his mother; he leaves his wife of nine years, Lynn M. (Tesconi) Barrieau of Ashburnham; daughter, Kathryn A. Nutting of Ashburnham; four brothers, Mark P. Barrieau and his wife Christine of Baldwinville, Matthew D. Barrieau of Athol, Andrew S. Barrieau and his wife Lori of Mequon, WI and Daniel J. Barrieau and his wife Kelli of Ludlow, MA; one uncle, Anthony B. Scarpa of CT; several nieces, nephews, great nephews; one great niece and several cousins.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, February 17th from the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner with a Mass at 12:30 p.m. in Annunciation Parish/Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 135 Nichols Street, Gardner. Burial will be held at a later date in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon.
Calling hours will be held Thursday, February 16th from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the funeral home. To protect Rock's family and friends from the elements, those attending calling hours are asked to report directly to Holy Rosary Church, which is directly across the street from Boucher Funeral Home, Inc. Small groups of people will then be escorted across the street to the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to The CASA Project, Inc., 100 Grove Street, 4th Floor, Worcester, MA 01605, where Rock was Chairman of its Golf Tournament. Please reference in memory of Rock Barrieau.

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